2013 Taiwan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts

‘Hot’ LTE/4G spectrum auction grabs attention ahead of licensing and service launch

Note: This report has had a broad update/revision of statistics based on statistical information available as of October 2013; fresh information has also been added on the LTE/4G auction process at that stage.

Taiwan has one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Asia. Increasing land and labour costs have forced Taiwan to concentrate on technology, and it is now a leading high-tech centre in Asia Pacific. With excellent telecommunications infrastructure in place and the innovative use of breakthrough information technologies, the country continues to be well placed to drive both mobile and data communications services. Annual telecommunications service revenues are around NT$400 billion (US$12.5 billion) and investment in telecoms infrastructure remains substantial.

The Taiwanese market has rapidly become a significant player in broadband internet access. Into 2013 the total broadband penetration had been lifted to over 100% when considering both fixed-line and mobile services. The proportion of the population who are internet users exceeds 75% and FttX connections have become the dominant form of access technology. Local operator CHT is leading the charge to offer 100Mb/s symmetrical broadband services to increasingly demanding subscribers.

3G subscribers account for 80% of the total mobile subscriber base and strong smartphone adoption is driving data revenues, which are now 35% of total telecom service revenues. The government has initiated the process for awarding 4G licences. The spectrum auction was taking place in late 2013 with a view to completing the licensing followed by the commercial launch of 4G services in 2014.

Market highlights:

• Taiwan’s mobile operators had signed up nearly 24 million 3G subscribers by mid-2013, accounting for 80% of all mobile subscribers;
• Smartphone adoption remains strong and is driving higher ARPU in the market place;
• Chunghwa Telecom’s Optical Era Project will see investment of US$1.8 billion to construct an island-wide fibre-optic network over five years. Into 2013 the company had provided fibre access to 2.8 million residential and business subscribers. The company aims to have 97% of its broadband network capable of speeds over 100Mb/s by 2016;
• WiMAX uptake remains slow and the NCC continues to delay awarding covering ;
• The Taiwanese government had commenced a program of investing NT$130 billion (US$4.3 billion) in smart power grid infrastructure;
• Analogue terrestrial television switch-off commenced in 2008 and was completed in 2012.

Taiwan – Key performance indicators – 2011 - 2013

(Source: BuddeComm based on industry data)

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year